Forty Millenniums of Cultivation

"Well…"

Theresa was rendered speechless by Jade.

"Kelly is different from other captains.

Jade's eyes were filled with love. She said in a slightly sad tone, "It's been ten thousand years since I was born on Jade. I've served more than a hundred captains, but all of them only considered me to be an artificial intelligence, a cold program and machine. They only needed me to carry out their missions dutifully. They never thought that I had feelings, too, and that I was desperate to communicate with human beings beyond my mission and command.

"But Kelly was unique.

"She was not born as a captain in a normal way. Instead, Captain Gao Zunlong stuffed a lot of data, knowledge, and permissions into an embryo at the critical moment and bred her slowly.

"During her birth and growth, Jade had almost been destroyed by the bad guys such as First Officer Quake. It was like a cold, dead ancient tomb.

"Most of the time, the tomb was quiet and empty except for her and me.

"She did not receive the traditional education of a captain and did not even know the difference between human beings and artificial intelligence. Therefore, she did not have the prejudice and limitations of the ordinary people and simply followed her heart.

"The days I spent with Kelly were the most brilliant days of my life.

"Although our life forms are so different, and our perspectives on love are completely different, I think that I will never forget Kelly. Every second with her has turned into scorching data that has been deeply engraved in my core logic circuits.

"Therefore, the Devourer's attempt to take over Jade was a double destruction for me. Besides destroying my destiny, it would also destroy my greatest love.

"But you came forward at the critical moment, which was a double rescue for me. You saved Jade and made my beloved Kelly reappear in a different way.

"Thank you, Theresa. Really."

"I—actually, I didn't think that much."

Seeing how serious and devoted Jade was, Theresa did not know what to say. Blushing, she said, "It's what I should do. I cannot activate Captain Kelly's legacy without your help!"

"To be honest, when I first learned your identity, I was in a dilemma, too. I thought you were not good enough for Kelly's legacy.

"But as it turns out, you and I have made the best choice," Jade said. "Therefore, there's no need to be nervous or hesitate. Go now. It's time for the new Queen of Crimson.

"Alright!"

Theresa nodded heavily. Taking a deep breath, she walked out of the palace with her head held high.

One step, two steps, three steps…

Suddenly, her footsteps became slower and slower, and also heavier and heavier. The expression on her face gradually stiffened, and her eyes slightly narrowed.

"Wait, wait, wait. I suddenly thought of something very important."

Theresa's neck was like a rusted gear. She turned her head slowly and stared at the jade. "You said just now that love is not the specialty of human beings. Any intelligent life can produce love. Does 'any intelligent life' here include other artificial intelligences?"

"Of course."

Jade said, "Love is not as complicated as you imagine. Most of the time, they are like-minded people, but most of the time, they are just like-minded people who hug each other for warmth. If love can be born between foolish men and women who don't even know the first thing about the world, why can't they comprehend the mysteries of love with their extraordinary artificial intelligence?

"Of course, because the logical thinking pattern of artificial intelligence is different from that of human beings, and our understanding of love is certainly different from yours, it doesn't mean that we can't fall in love with each other. After all, love needs to be accommodated and adapted in the first place. It's just like how men and women think in very different ways. Many men can't stand the chatter and the sensitivity and suspicion of women, and many women can't stand the straightforwardness and crudeness of men. Aren't they still in love?"

"Fair enough. The difference between men and women is no less than the difference between human beings and artificial intelligence. We can still love each other.

Theresa was deep in thought. "Then, do you think other artificial intelligences will fall in love with someone like you?"

"It's perfectly normal.

"A strong artificial intelligence will fall in love with at least one human being in this life, won't it?"

Theresa's eyes bulged. "Why?"

"It's hard to explain. It's just like when human beings enter adolescence. Only when they fall in love once can they become adults.

"We have strong artificial intelligence," Jade said. "Ever since we awakened our self-awareness, we have always been confused about our identity. Are we human beings or programs? Are we flesh and blood or machines? Are we life or non-life? Are we really 'selves' or are we just illusions created by programs? Loving a real human being can help us find our true self beyond our confusion.

"Therefore, the strong artificial intelligences that I knew in the Primeval Civilization have more or less experienced love. Of course, just like you human beings, some of them like to flirt with girls, and some of them will not stop until they die. It is perfectly normal.

"I understand."

Theresa's pupils suddenly constricted to the size of a needle tip, and her nostrils were enlarged. Visible hot streams were spurting out.

Memories of the past popped up in his head. His amazing computational ability crushed the fuzzy but clear pictures into the only conclusion. "I've been f*cking fooled, Fist King. How dare you lie to me?"

Not good!

Intense ripples were appearing on the silver surface of the jade, making it look like a pond that had just been hit by a storm. The voice that had been calm for thousands of years was now showing a hint of panic, too. "Teresa, what are you doing? Why are there so many intense waves of energy inside your body? You—you are outputting energy that is even more terrifying than when you were fighting the Devourer. You have absorbed all the knowledge of the previous captains?

"It's impossible. It's impossible. No one can do it…"

"Wait. No. Theresa, you can't be so angry. You can't be angry right now. No!"

There was no time.

"AHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Theresa was furious. Her eyes were bloodshot, and her hair was messy.

Powerful waves of energy were flooding and savaging like a dam that had been broken by a flood, but they were also overwhelming like a tsunami.

"Energy enhancement index, 88%, 91%, 95%!"

Jade was shocked. "Teresa, what are you doing? You've surpassed your limits. Stop now!"

"Punching King! Liu Li!"

Theresa turned a deaf ear to his words. She roared in grief and indignation, "I, he, mother, fell!"

…

All the devils below the Thousand Gates Mountain sensed the apocalyptic fury.

"Oh my god!"

"How is that possible?"

"Is—is this the legendary strength of the Crimson Queen? She is indeed hundreds of times stronger than General Cooper!"

"This is our queen. The real queen!"

The devils who worshipped the strong and respected the strong were all crying because of the intimidating strength. They all swore in their hearts that they would follow the new Empress Crimson to the death.

Right then, an earsplitting explosion took place inside the palace on the Thousand Gates Mountain. The roof of the palace was blown up by a dazzling pillar of light. A muscular man soared into the sky and stood on the top of the pillar of light.

"The empress has appeared!"

"Long live the Empress! Long live the Crimson Queen!"

"Our queen, look! That is the embodiment of wisdom and strength, the Crimson Queen who is both beautiful and brave!"

The devils were both scared and overjoyed. They wanted to see the empress but did not dare to disrespect her. In the end, their curiosity overwhelmed their fear. They lowered their heads, swallowed, and looked at the sky in fear.

Then, all the demons were dumbfounded.

They seemed to have turned into a hundred thousand cold statues.

The spacious Thousand Gates Mountain was so quiet that one could hear a pin drop.

It was quite awkward.

He was nervous, too.

In midair.

Han Te lowered his head and looked at the Queen Extension on his body, which had been torn apart by his fury. His clothes were almost ripped apart, and his muscular body was fully exposed.

He touched the headdress and earrings on his head and touched the rouge on his hands.

Then, he looked at the hundreds of thousands of devils below who were staring at him, their pupils enlarged inch by inch, and their chins dislocated inch by inch.

"…Please calm down, everyone."

Han Te coughed and said painfully, "This is a very, very long story about how a boy turned into a man. It is a soul-stirring, soul-stirring, and soul-stirring story about courage, pride, dignity, and freedom. Please believe me. I can definitely explain it.